1598 Qasim Ibn Muhammad unites Yemen region under Zaidi Islamic rule.
1618 Yemen coffee draws English and Dutch merchants to Red Sea port of al-Mukh;
British trade begins in Aden.
1839 Britain seizes fishing village of Aden, beginning its role in world shipping trade.
1849 Ottoman Turks occupy large area of northern Yemen, forcing Zaidi imam to
Become a vassal.
1869 Opening of Suez Canal increases need for stable refueling services in Aden.
1880-1900 British secure treaties of friendship and protection with tribes near Aden, beginning Aden Protectorate.
1914 Britain and Ottoman Empire sign agreement creating frontier between what will
Become North Yemen after World War I and British Aden Protectorate.
1918 Ottoman forces withdraw from North Yemen following their defeat in World
War I.
1934 Yemen loses territory of Asir Province to Saudi Arabia in brief war.
1937 Administration of Aden Protectorate passes from British-controlled government
Of India to British Colonial Office.
1948 Imam Yahya is assassinated in revolt; Ahmad becomes imam of North Yemen.
1954 Despite growing opposition to British rule, oil refinery is built in Aden.
1962-1970 Civil war in North Yemen.
Treated well during their captivity. Abdullah Ahmar, speaker of the Yemeni parliament and leader of the Hashid tribe, claimed that "Kidnapping is part of tourism; it's an adventure for the tourist... good hospitality." However, in the late 1990's the government showed signs of impatience, indicating that it was less willing to make concessions to tribal leaders holding hostages. Travel warnings cited increasing danger.
World History
